Wordless Wednesday–Robert E. Thompson

or rather, Word-full. Page showing children elected (limited spaces) into the Royal Albert Orphan Asylum at Bagshot, Surrey, England, from an Annual Report of the orphanage. Robert Ernest Thompson was my great-grandfather, and “won” a spot at the orphanage (there was voting involved), where he stayed Dec 30, 1885 until he was old enough to leave in Dec 18, 1891. His siblings (at least the youngest 5 of the 9) were placed with family members, only Robert was placed in an orphanage. I’d certainly liked to know why, or how that decision was come upon. He did not have happy memories of his orphanage years.

“Howdy folks“, to quote grandma. For those of you not related to me, I am the keeper of all things family history for both sides of my family. I have been “doing” genealogy since I was about 10 years old, and even before as I listened to Nana’s stories of ... Continue reading →